Palms For California

Pronunciation: HEAD-ih-sip-ee can-ter-bare-ee-ANN-uh

Common Name: Umbrella Palm

Hedyscepe canterburyana is a wonderfully ornamental palm from Lord Howe Island, where several other great palms for California come from (namely the Howeas).

Appearance and Biology Habit: solitary with a crown of 8-12 pinnate leaves Height: 20' Trunk: single; 10"; green and somewhat glaucous near crownshaft, browner near the ground; prominently ringed with closely spaced light-colored bands; self cleaning Crownshaft: 18" tall; slightly thicker than trunk, often with a bulge at its base (flower formation); bright, light green to pale turquoise with glaucous powdering near top Spread: 10'-15' Leaf Description: pinnate; markedly recurved (bottom leaves almost into a full circle); bright green; narrowly 'V'd in cross-section with stiff, upright leaflets with almost no droop at their tips; 10' long Petiole/Leaf bases: 6" long; deep green with some glaucous powder on lowest petioles Reproduction: monoecious Inflorescence: 12"; mostly branches (minimal peduncle); white flowers Fruit: ovoid; 2"; olive green to deep red when ripe

Horticultural Characteristics Minimum Temp: 28F Drought Tolerance: low Dry Heat Tolerance: moderate Wind Tolerance: moderate Salt Tolerance: unknown Growth Rate: slow Soil Preference: adaptable Light Requirement: filtered light to partial sun near coast Human Hazards: none Disease or Horticultural Problems: none Transplants?: unknown Indoor?: unknown, but might work Availability: rare but often available at palm specialty nurseries